Annual Badge
The Annual Badge is worn by all members once they or their Group have paid their annual subscriptions to SCOUTS South Africa. The badge is worn for the period from January of the year indicated on the badge to the end of December of that year. As shown in light blue in the images below, the badge is worn:
- On the back of the Meerkat hat
- Above the right pocket on the Cub shirt.
- Above the left pocket of the Scout shirt
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Meerkat
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Cub
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Scout
| 2024 | The figures on the badge relate to the year's National Challenge of "Health and Well-Being". | 
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| 2023 | The badge displays a panda representing the year's National Challenge of "Champions for Nature". | 
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| 2022 | A globe in the middle of the "0" surrounded by a ring with 17 segments, representing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. | 
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| 2021 |
The concept behind the 2021 annual membership badge is healing and rejuvenation following the challenges of Covid-19 and lockdown during 2020. The Aloe Vera image included in the design symbolises healing, good luck, protection and spiritual upliftment. The Aloe Vera is an indigenous plant and its vibrant, sword-like leaves have been treasured for their healing properties for millennia. In many cultures around the world the Aloe’s natural healing powers have been used to treat bites, burns, inflammation and many more ailments. In fact, its often referred to as a natural first aid kit, and is used by Scouts when out in nature! |
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| 2020 |
For decades Scouting in South Africa served children and young people between the ages of 7 and 30. However, in a country where adequate education is lacking, SSA identified the necessity for a programme to address the early developmental needs of children aged 5-6 years old. The programme was named "The Meerkats" and the 4th Scouting branch was launched in October 2019. The 2020 badge featured two of the Meerkats in honour of the new programme. |
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| 2019 |
The 2019 Annual badge celebrates the 100 years of Wood Badge training! Training is one of the core elements in Scouting. The first Wood Badge training took place at Gilwell Park in England in 1919 and was run by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. At the completion of the course, all participants asked if they could have some token to indicate that they had been trained. At first B-P improvised by taking two little beads from a string of such beads he had; he threaded them on a bootlace, and hung them around the neck of each Scouter. Ever since, each Scouter who has successfully completed the Wood Badge course, receives two similar beads on a leather thong. Known as the Wood Badge beads. The ‘Axe and Log’ logo refers back to the Camp Chief, Francis Gidney, of Gilwell Park in England in 1920. He needed something to distinguish between Gilwell Park – the outdoor activity centre – and that of the Scouting administrative headquarters. He felt that the ‘Axe and Log’ represented the farm where Gilwell was situated full of many open spaces and trees. This logo came to be strongly associated with Wood Badge leader training and is still used on certificates, flags, and other programme-related items. |
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| 2018 |
2018 marks 100 years of Rovering both worldwide and in South Africa. To honour Rovering, the 2018 membership badge showcases the following 3 elements:
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| 2017 | 
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| 2016 | Celebrating the Centenary of Cubbing | 
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| 2015 | 
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| 2014 | 
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| 2013 | 
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| 2012 | 
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| 2011 | 
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| 2010 | Celebrating the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cub in South Africa | 
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| 2009 | 
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| 2008 | In 2008, the South African Scout Scout Association unveiled new branding based on the World Scout brand logo, making it the first National Scout Organization to adopt the world branding at national level. | 
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| 2007 | 
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| 2006 | 
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| 2005 | 
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| 2004 | 
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| 2003 | The national annual membership badge was introduced in 2003 to be worn above the left hand shirt pocket and must be replaced each year. The badges are provided to members of a group which has paid its national subscription for the year. | 
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